RKS CANADIAN Documentary: “Hearse Chasing”: Seeing the Damage the Bottle Has Done

Watching the home video clips of Cassidy Waring and her younger brother Cooper in their childhood home in 1990’s Calgary there is a happy family flow which rapidly deteriorated into misery after Cassidy’s parents joined a dart club and quickly fell victim to the bottle.

The misery extended beyond Cassidy and Cooper to neighbours and family members revealing on screen their tales when Cassidy and Cooper return the “scene of the crime” in Calgary. Heart wrenching treachery of a mother and father.

Cassidy suffers from CPTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) which occurs over a long period involving people you have had a trusting relationship with. Faced with a period of blackout drinking Cassidy is currently in therapy.

Cassidy has found some degree of healing in her songwriting and performing all intertwined in the documentary along with archival home movies and discussions with family members and friends.

Some, but not all of us, have seen with various levels of tragedy what damage the bottle has done but “Hearse Chasing” is an upfront and personal glimpse effectively replacing platitudes describing the damage with in your face reality.

You may watch the trailer here https://vimeo.com/1134113626?fl=pl&fe=sh “Hearse Chasing” is a TELUS original documentary from award-winning director Teresa Alfeld (Doug and the Slugs and Me), is set to release in Vancouver at the VIFF Centre on May 10th, 2026. The special event screening will include an intimate musical performance with the film’s subject Cassidy Waring and her band as a part of the VIFF Live series. 

“Hearse Chasing” will premiere on May 13th, 2026 on TELUS Optik TV Video on Demand channel 8 and TELUS Stream+. Simultaneously, the film will premiere on the TELUS originals YouTube channel at 7:00pm PT / 8:00pm MT on the same day and be available until May 31, 2026, in honour of Canadian Mental Health Awareness Month.

RKS Literature: Daisy Miller Positively Scandalous in Rome (Henry James)

‘It has happened very well,’ said Mrs. Walker. “If she is so perfectly determined to compromise herself, the sooner one knows it the better; one can act accordingly.’

‘I suspect she meant no harm,’ Winterbourne rejoined.

‘So I thought a month ago. But she has been going too far.’

‘What has she been doing?’

‘Everything that is not done here. Flirting with any man she could pick up; sitting in the corner with mysterious Italians; dancing all evening with the same partners; receiving visits at eleven o’clock at night. Her mother goes away when visitors come.’

‘But her brother’ said Winterbourne, laughing, ‘sits up till midnight.’

‘He must be edified by what he sees. I’m told that at their hotel everyone is talking about her and that a smile goes round among the servants when a gentleman comes and asks for Miss Miller.’

Henry James, “Daisy Miller”, 1878.

RKS Literature: Third Rate Italians and Fortune Hunters: Winterbourne’s Aunt Writes Him About Daisy Miller (Henry James)

“The young lady, however, is very intimate with some third-rate Italians, with whom she rackets about in a way that makes much talk.

The girl goes about alone with her foreigners. As to what happens farther, you must apply elsewhere for information. She has picked up half-a-dozen of the regular Roman fortune hunters, and she takes them about to people’s houses. When she comes to a party she brings with her a gentleman with a good deal of manner and a wonderful mustache.”

Henry James, “Daisy Miller”, 1878.

RKS 2026 Wine: More El Enemigo Bonarda

I recall years ago reading a newsletter from a Canadian wine writer who on occasion would say don’t walk to the store to buy a particular wine but run. I can’t recall using those words but I might be tempted to say that here as El Enemigo Bonarda does not disappoint and it ages well although I can’t say that as regards their Chardonnays.

If you have yet to try Bonarda now is the time.

Aroma: Big time black and red fruit perhaps the creamy rich blackberry is the trademark of this vineyard’s Bonarda.

Palate: Huge blueberry and blackberry down the hatch. Smooth if not creamy. Tannins and acids well integrated if not hidden. Restrained power and elegance. Moderately long finish.

Personality: Easily mistaken for nonchalant.

Food Match: Stanley Tucci’s Baked Cod in Tomatoes and Olives.

Cellarbility: Will drink nicely into 2029.

Price: $30 CDN.

RKS 2026 Wine Rating: 92/100. Joaquin Hidalgo 94.

Tasted 23April2026.

(El Enemigo 2022 El Mirador Single Vineyard Bonarda, Rivadavia, Mendoza, Argentina, 750 mL, 13.5%)

RKS Literature: Miss Daisy Miller a Pretty American Flirt (Henry James)

“Some people had told him that, after all, American girls were exceedingly innocent; and others had told him, that after all, they were not. He was inclined to think Miss Daisy Miller was a flirt-a pretty American flirt. He had never, as yet, had any relations with young ladies of this category. He had known here in Europe, two or three women-persons older than Miss Daisy Miller, and provided for respectability’s sake, with husbands-who were great coquettes-dangerous, terrible women, with whom one’s relations were liable to take a serious turn. But this girl was not a coquette in that sense; she was very unsophisticated; she was only a pretty American flirt.”

Henry James, “Daisy Miller”, 1878.

RKS Literature: The Americanization of a Swiss Resort Town in June (Henry James)

“In this region, in the month of June, American travellers are extremely numerous; it may be said, indeed, that Vevey assumes at this period some of the characteristics of an American watering place. There are sights and sounds which evoke a vision, an echo, of Newport and Saratoga. There is a flitting hither and thither of “stylish” young girls, a rustling of muslin flounces, a rattle of dance music in the morning hours, a sound of high pitched voices at all times.

Henry James, “Daisy Miller”, 1878.

RKS Literature: Whites as the Devil in Maabar (Marco Polo)

“The fact is that when a child is born here they anoint him once a week with sesame oil, and this turns him a great deal darker than when he was born. For let me tell you that the blackest men here are held in highest regard and considered superior to those who are not so black. And I will tell you another thing too. You may take my word for it is that these people portray and paint all their gods and idols black and the devils are as white as snow.”

Marco Polo (1254-1324), “Travels in the Land of Serpents and Pearls”

RKS 2026 GREEK WINE: Novus 2023 Altitude Red

Agiorgitiko 68% at 510 m. Syrah 22% at 710 m. Merlot 10% at 580 m.

Vinification occurs in stainless steel.

Aroma: Raspberry, black cherry and mountainous Hellenic scrub.

Palate: Low tannins and acids. Smooth.  Somewhat juicy. Lingering peppery finish. Plum. Cactus pear. Cinnamon.

Personality: As for grapes the Agiorgitiko makes me by majority Greek. It gives me the fruit and the Srayh the spice.

Food Match: Pastitsio or Chicken Kapama.

Cellarbility: Drink in 2026.

Price: $18 CDN.

RKS 2026 GREEK WINE Rating: 87/100. Michael Godel (Wine Align) 88.

(Novus 2023 Altitude Red, PGI Peloponnese, Novus Winery, Tripoli, Greece, 750 mL, 13.5%).

“Lost in Puppydom: Rory Dylan Stephen’s Puppydom”: RORY FEELS HIS BOOK IS BEING TAKEN OVER!

RORY FEELS HIS BOOK IS BEING TAKEN OVER!

I will reveal the complete story of my abduction up to my liberation. Bob is completing a contract with The Singapore Times for this big scoop. The payments will be used for bursaries for students at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Veterinary Bioscience/Clinical Science.

An impostor even wrote a chapter in the book “HAS RORY BEEN KIDNAPPED AND HELD HOSTAGE IN SCOTLAND?”

It is time to tell my story!

I just want you readers to know I am doing well but I have suffered some trauma and  minor physical injuries which hopefully some chicken congee for breakfast and Singaporean Chicken for dinner can ameliorate!

I had a blast staying with Prime Minister Wong. A real dog lover that guy. I can feel it when he talks to me and gives me a jowl rub. I was sitting on his lap when he was conversing with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. They even talked about my liberation and Canada’s intention to relax its rules on the “importation” of rescue dogs. As a puppy at times I am living some high-flying life. Bob tells me I am destined for greatness?

Stay tuned readers. Enough about me. Let’s move to “from me”. My story starts next!

RKS Literature: A Final Warning to Ahab Against His Frenzied Chase of Moby Dick (Herman Melville)

 “Great God! But for one single instant show thyself,” cried Starbuck; never, never wilt thou capture him, old man-In Jesus’ name no more of this, that’s worse than the devil’s madness. Two days chased; twice stove to splinters; thy very leg once more snatched from under thee; thy evil shadow gone-all good angels mobbing thee with warnings.”

“What more wouldst thou have? – Shall we keep chasing this murderous fish till he swamps the last man? Shall we dragged by him to the bottom of the sea? Shall we be towed by him to the infernal world? Oh, oh- Impiety and blasphemy to hunt him more!”.

Herman Melville, “Moby Dick”, 1851.